Torque Converter Spacing / Shimming: Tech Tip Tuesday

Proper torque converter shimming / spacing is crucial to avoid damaging your transmission pump as well as protecting the thrust bearing in your engine. This issue and the surrounding principles really came to light as adding power adders became more common. As a result anti ballooning front converter pumps and other devices have been developed. However, torque converter spacing and shimming must be properly understood and tended to in order to avoid this as well.

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[onemilemore]

Thanks so much for the tip. I've been a diy mechanic for many years and had not heard or read this specific info before seeing the Bald Regal build. That portion of the build also came out in the nick of time for me doing my own LS swap into my G-body El Camino. Also enjoy this video being straight to the point without excessive banter between every single person at the shop. Keep 'em coming please.

[Realest]

Nice vid. Not full of fluff or hit air. Straight and to the point!

[ryan]

Great video. I have run into issues with different aftermarket converters with different length snouts. You can bottom the converter snout on the inside on the ls adapter spacer or be a couple thousand away from it, you still have the right pullout spacing but if the converter pushes forward at all it hits the inside of the adapter and wipes out thrust bearings. pump pressure also ties into this. Double check this before calling it good.

[draculaSk]

Dude thank you so much! I kept on questioning the whole having so much slack to touch the flexplate!

[spadesgarage]

If the gap is greater than 3/16" then you put in a washer. If it's between 1/8 and 3/16" than no washers required and just bolt it in. Correct?

[eyefox]

I noticed motion made a turbo kit for coyote swaps. Definitely interested when the time comes. Keep up the good work.

[YLegalRacing]

Very good info, especially since we're doing a power glide project soon!

[robertlogan]

You guys are awesome! Thank you for posting this great video. I thought something was wrong when I saw I had space like you had on the white board. Your a lifeaaver

[bradmorgan]

Awesome video - short and to the point and very valuable tech information.

[brianmolnar]

Thanks, that something I can tonight on my 5.3 ls th400 combo now

[pearsooo]

Thank you for the info. Now I can move forward

[chuck]

Thanks for the video. That was excellent, but I also wish you would have talked about the snout on the front of the converter in relationship to insertion into the crank. A very much over looked part of this equation.! Example: How much does the snout have to insert into the crank hub, Does the converter spin freely in the crank hub, and to make sure the converter snout does not bottom out in the crank hub when bolting converter to flex plate. Thank you.

[freakineagle]

Excellent video. Very educational without all the BS. Thanks. Hotrod Ronnie

[guybenning]

if routing hoses like video says where does motor get its fresh air to make the system breath like a pcv system?

[hernandezvlog]

My stock converter had no washers. But my new reman has spacing. Do i need to put washers in?

[roberttrevino]

Does that apply to stock converter or just aftermarket?

[BillyP-Chevy]

What about when you're adding a mid plate?

[aboo]

Thanks for this excellent video. How do you relate that number to the actual TC end play which is measured by the rotunda tool or whatever? Do you still stick to the 1/8-3/16" thumb rule or would you use a different formula of subtraction?

[trevorfraser]

What about where the torque converter goes into the crank would you not need a spacer in there the same thickness of the flex plate to torque converter If you did not space, it would not push the torque converter into the crank

[satanz]

What happens if you pull the converter off of the pump the 1/8” - 3/16” and now your converter is actually touching the flex plate on both the mounting pads and the hub? Meaning all you had to work with was .125” in the fist place. Bolt it straight to the flex plate, even if the hub is fully seated into the crank? I was told that is bad too.